SERVICES

GROUPS

All of my on-going groups are based on an informal sharing with parents bringing in issues relevant to their families. I do not bring in any pre-set agendas with specific issues to be discussed. We do explore issues within a connected approach to parenting, defining behaviors as developmentally driven and communicating underlying needs. We look at ways of setting limits with behavior while supporting needs as well as parent triggers and how to take care of ourselves.

My workshops are based on a specified topic. The approach is the same as in the above groups however.

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP for parents of children ages 3-5 years.
Thursdays 9:30-10:30 a.m.
This age group can test the most confident parent! We define developmentally driven behavior, how to support needs for increasing autonomy and personal power and how to set limits within a connected parenting approach. $25 per group

SUPPORT FOR PARENTS OF TWO CHILDRENfor parents of children ages newborn-6 years.
Wednesdays 9:30-10:30 a.m.Welcoming a baby into a family with an older sibling can be overwhelming. Sustaining support for two children as they grow can be exhausting. Parents need support!! We will explore practical management issues, developmental themes, setting limits within a connected approach, and emotional triggers. $25 per group

PARENT SUPPORT GROUP for parents of children ages 8-11 years.
Every other Tuesday 11:30-1 p.m.As children navigate these transitional ages, parents often feel approaches that have worked in the past no longer seem effective. In this group we explore how to honor the growing need for autonomy, the increasing importance of friendships and how children are trying to integrate these needs within family relationships. $30 per group

DAD’S GROUP
Second Wednesday of every month, 7:45-9:15 p.m.This group is for fathers of children ages 2-11 years old. Dads get together to discuss development and discipline questions, the role of being a father, relationships with spouses and, in every group, learn from other dads. $25 per group. Sign up is for one class at a time.

Sessions are scheduled during weekdays, evenings and some limited weekend hours in parents’ homes, in parks or cafes. I see people in a variety of schedules — bi-weekly, monthly, or every few months as needed. Private sessions give parents the opportunity to focus solely on their families, enabling a deeper exploration of specific issues and experiences while developing strategies of support. Many parents see me in private sessions as well as in my on-going groups and workshops. I also do phone and Skype sessions!

I only meet with parents for several reasons:

Parents are the best resource for helping changes to occur within families.

When children are not present, parents can talk freely and honestly about their feelings and perspectives, with no distractions.

If children are present, they often do not exhibit typical behaviors (they are often anxious about the meeting) so I do not get much additional information and there is a lot that I need to explore which is not appropriate for them to hear.

PARENT SUPPORT GROUPS AT PRIVATE HOMESOffering separate groups for parents of children 4-7 years old and 9-12 years old. These groups are formed when friends or parents from the same school want on-going support. You can form your own group, meeting once per week, every other week or monthly. My groups range from 2 to 7 families.

“Barbara Olinger’s Dad Group is definitely a life saver for all dads, new or experienced. There are already many mommy groups, but to be able to find a group just for dads in an environment where all dads can feel comfortable voicing out their concerns, issues and questions was definitely a hard find. Being a dad would be much more challenging if it wasn’t for Barbara’s Dad Group. Thanks!”